St Ives > About Us > Meet our staff

Kay Goldsworthy - Head Teacher

Kay studied Primary Education BA at Roehampton University. She then worked in Surrey for 4 years teaching across Key Stages 1 & 2. She has experience co-ordinating Geography, French and Educational Visits. Kay travelled to Abu Dhabi UAE, to teach in an International School. She was part of the team that opened a brand new school called Al Muna. Kay worked there for 2 years and taught across Key Stage 2, and was part of the Literacy Curriculum Team. This is Kay’s twelfth year at St Ives School.

Nicola Smith - Deputy Head and Humanities Teacher

Nicola graduated from the University of Wales with both a first class honours BA in Geography and also obtained the award for the highest achieving final year student. She studied French to first year degree level, gaining the department’s scholarship. After university she went on to fulfil her lifelong ambition to teach by undertaking a Primary PGCE at the University of Plymouth.

Jeni Mayell - Nursery Manager and EYFS Co-ordinator

Jeni Mayell (née Middleton) is our Nursery Manager and EYFS Co-ordinator. Jeni has a Combined Educational Studies and Early Childhood Education BA (Hons) QTS and brings with her a wealth of experience, having been Head of Kindergarten at Wycombe Abbey International School, China for four years. Jeni has also held positions as class teacher and EYFS Co-Ordinator at Great Waltham Primary School and prior to this Nursery and ASC Manager at Jack & Jill Day Nursery in Essex.

Jade Vaus - Deputy Nursery Manager

Jade Vaus joins us this term as our Deputy Nursery Manager. As well as her nursery role, Jade will also be running After-School Care. She has a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education and a vast experience of working in Early Years. She joins us from St Edmund’s Nursery and was previously Deputy Nursery Manager at Little Sailors Nursery at The Royal Prep School for many years.

Deb Bowler - Early Years Practitioner

Deb has worked at St Ives for nine years. She has a Level 3 Cache in Childcare, and has additionally attended multiple training courses on many aspects of the nursery environment. Before joining St Ives, Deb worked at her village nursery for ten years. She lives in Chiddingfold with her two children.

Rachel Sacre - Early Years Practitioner

Rachel joined St Ives in January 2019 having previously worked at Lanesborough Prep School in Guildford. Rachel has over twenty years’ experience of working in childcare including day care and school settings. During her time at Lanesborough, Rachel worked in the nursery as a nursery assistant as well as a teaching assistant in both Reception class and Year 2. Rachel has an NVQ Level 3 in childcare and has kept her knowledge and skills up to date by attending regular training courses.

Pippa Ayton - Early Years Practitioner

Pippa has worked at St Ives for ten years. The majority of this time has been spent working in the Early Years during which she undertook training in developing practice within the early years, safeguarding and first aid. Pippa has gained previous experience working with children at Grayswood Infant School and Haslemere Prep School where she worked in both Reception and Nursery classes. Pippa has been involved with after school activities, notably Beavers and cricket.

Rachel Blewett - Early Years Practitioner

Rachel holds an NNEB Childcare Qualification and has over 30 years' experience of working in Early Years. Rachel has worked locally at Brook Nursery School for the past 15 years. Prior to this, Rachel worked at the Rocking Horse Nursery in Godalming and has also been a private nanny. She is excited to be part of the team here at St Ives and looks forward to meeting all the nursery children and helping them to reach their full potential.

Angela Sahal - Early Years Practitioner

Angela joined us in 2023 from Brook Nursery where she worked for over 18 months. Prior to her role at Brook, Angela nannied for several families in the Haslemere area, which she loved. She is a very valuable member of the team.

Nastasha Burrows - Early Years Practitioner

Natasha, known as Tash, has also joined our nursery team this term. Tash has a background in Early Years with a Level 3 Diploma in Early Learning and Childcare. Most recently Tash has been working locally at Toad Hall prior to this she spent many years working at The Royal School Nursery.

Lucy Tapp - Reception Class Teacher and Head of Computing

Lucy graduated from Cardiff University with a BSc in Criminology, during which time she also gained experienced working in a Montessori nursery setting. This inspired a love of working with children and led Lucy to Winchester University where she completed her PGCE. Lucy worked at St Ives in 2019/20 before spending a year at Seaton House School in Sutton where she continued to develop her love of the EYFS and gained further experience supporting children with a variety of special needs. Lucy returned to us as our dedicated Reception teacher in 2021.

Natalie Hayden - Reception Teaching Assistant

Natalie started her career in insurance where she was the executive assistant to the CEO of a large insurance company in the City. However, after having her two children, she started volunteering at their nursery in Grayswood. She enjoyed it so much that when a Teaching Assistant role came up at Grayswood Primary, Natalie grabbed the opportunity to work there. During her four years at Grayswood, she gained experience working with several year groups, particularly Reception and Year 1 as well as some 1:1 with a child with learning needs. She passed her Higher Level Teaching Assistant qualification inn 2022 and is Reception's dedicated Teaching Assistant, working very closely with Lucy Tapp

Courtney Green - Year 1 Class Teacher

Courtney has worked at St Ives for nearly five years. Beginning in the senior school, she has gained experience of teaching across the whole school in her time here. Courtney graduated from the University of Surrey with a degree in Music and also enjoyed playing in the orchestra and managing the string orchestra. Courtney joined us from Guildford High School where she worked as a TA in the pre-prep, gaining experience in Reception and Year 1 before completing her PGCE with Goldsmiths, University of London. She is currently our Year 1 Class Teacher where her passion for teaching young children shines through.

Rebecca Waterson - Year 1 Teaching Assistant

Rebecca joined us in April 2023 from the Royal School where she had worked for 18 months. Prior to that, Rebecca worked in finance for a national Italian restaurant chain and studied Law, Spanish and English Language at a local college. With a passion for working with children, Rebecca is thrilled to be joining Miss Green and the Year 1 class. Rebecca lives locally with her son and enjoys running and visiting the local coffee shops!

Jenny Duggin - Year 2 teacher, Pre-prep coordinator, and Senior PSHE teacher

Jenny has worked at St Ives for sixteen years. She has taught predominantly in Year 2 but has also taught PSHE, RE, Computing and Geography across the school. This year she will be teaching Year 2, as well as teaching RE and PSHE to the whole school. As Pre-prep Coordinator she is a member of the school management team. She is also PSHE, RSE & RE Coordinator, overseeing these subjects. Prior to working at St Ives, Jenny studied Psychology at Durham University where she graduated with First class honours. She then spent six years working in the television industry, developing and making children’s and mainstream TV programmes for a variety of companies including the BBC and ITV. Having really enjoyed her media career but seeking something more fulfilling and rewarding, she did a PGCE at Roehampton University. Since making the career change she hasn’t looked back, and absolutely loves working here at St Ives. She lives in Haslemere with her husband and two children, one of which is a former pupil of ours!

Cheryl Cooper - Year 2 Teaching Assistant and Wellbeing Champion

Cheryl returned to St Ives nearly five years ago, after 8 years away. In that time, she worked at Beacon Hill Primary School as a teaching assistant and a 1:1, specialising in Autism. Cheryl has been a teaching assistant for 18 years. Cheryl is passionate about mental health and wellbeing and is our designtated Wellbeing Champion. Cheryl enjoys reading, cricket and listening to music. She lives in Haslemere with her husband and two boys.

Suzy Philpott - Head of Maths

Suzy joins us from Sheet Primary School where she was teaching for the last 8 years and leading Maths, along with History, Geography and PE, across the school. She is experienced with the philosophy of teaching for mastery which enables children to develop a deep and lasting understanding of maths procedures and concepts and has worked with local NCETM (National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics) hubs to develop, drive and embed the mastery approach. She is a passionate advocate for using resources and manipulatives within maths lessons for all ages to enable deeper understanding of more abstract concepts and aims to make maths learning fun and engaging for everyone. Before retraining to become a teacher and gaining her PGCE qualification, Suzy worked in London advertising agencies and international marketing roles for a number of years.

Rachel Parker - Head of English

Rachel joined us in September 2022 from Wetherby School in Notting Hill, London. Rachel has a passion for English having studied it at degree level. After an early career at Deloitte, Rachel re-trained to be a primary teacher and gained a wealth of experience teaching across various schools. She had success leading a school’s debating team to the National Debate Championships at Oxford University. She has been involved in a range of initiatives throughout her teaching career including Healthy Schools and Curriculum Development and is keen to inject her enthusiasm into St Ives.

Chloe Skirving - Year 3 Form Teacher & English Teacher

Chloe joins us from Conifers School where she was Form 1 teacher. Chloe has worked for many years in primary education in both the independent and state sectors at schools teaching English across key stages 1 and 2 as well as lower key stage 3. Chloe retrained as a teacher with the University of Chichester following a diverse career in which she ran her own business as a yoga teacher, worked as an interior designer and as an editor and writer for BBC magazines.

Marieke Butterfield - Head of Science

Marieke is an experienced primary teacher of many years. She has a degree in Marine Biology from the University of Bangor and went on to gain Qualified Teacher Status through the graduate teaching program in Surrey. She has taught all primary-aged children from Reception to Year 6, and has always led Science and Outdoor learning in the schools where she has worked. She is a qualified Forest School practitioner and is passionate about inspiring in children a joy, interest, and appreciation of nature and the environment. Having taught at St Ives as Head of Science for six years previously, we were delighted when she returned to us in September 2023 to share her love of Science with the children of St Ives once again.

Kerry Phipps - Head of Modern Languages

Kerry has a BA in French and Art from Roehampton University, an MA in French from the University of Surrey and a PGCE from Southampton University. She has lived in France and Quebec, where she became fluent in French. Kerry is a highly experienced teacher, with 25 years experience, who has taught a range of subjects across the primary age range in British and International schools. She was excited to return to St Ives in September 2021 where she worked as Head of French before her career break to raise her daughters. Kerry has previously headed up Modern Languages at St Hilary's in Godalming and joined us from Frensham Heights where she had been teaching languages across the junior and senior school.

Nicola Clutterbuck - Spanish Teacher

After graduating from the University of Strathclyde with a BA (Hons) degree in Spanish & Latin American Studies, Nicola spent a large part of her career at a leading global insurer where she was the Learning & Development Manager for Latin America. Following a career break to have her two children, Nicola decided to pursue a career in teaching and teaches Spanish in both maintained and independent schools in the local area. Nicola loves all things Spanish - the language, the people, the culture, the food - and is very passionate about encouraging others to learn what is now the second most widely-spoken language in the world.

Emma Woodward - Head of Sport

Emma joined St Ives in 2018 as Head of Sport, having taught previously in two large Independent Schools in South London. She graduated from the University of Birmingham with an BA Honours degree in Sport and Recreation, where she stayed on to complete a P.G.C.E in Physical Education. Emma started her teaching career at St Dunstan’s College, teaching PE to all pupils from Years 3 to 13. Whilst at the College, she was promoted to Head of Girls’ Games and teacher in charge of Swimming. After nine happy years at the College Emma took the opportunity to lead a PE Department and became Head of PE at James Allen’s Prep School, in Dulwich where she stayed for twelve years. Emma has taken part in a variety of sports over the years at school, university and beyond. She has a competitive background in Swimming and has swum at County, Regional and National levels. Her proudest moments include winning the British Universities Championships and competing at the Olympic trials.

Helen Maxwell - Head of Music

Helen has been associated with St Ives School for more than eleven years as a teacher of flute and piano, the accompanist for many of the school’s concerts and stage shows and as leader of the school orchestra. Helen is an Associate of Trinity College London (ATCL) and a Licentiate of Trinity College (LTCL). Helen has been teaching privately and in schools for over twenty years and is passionate about sharing her love of music and especially musical theatre with young people who respond readily to her infectious enthusiasm. Helen is delighted now to be joining the staff of St Ives as their Head of Music.

Hannah Taylor - Art Teacher

Hannah has a Master of Arts from Central Saint Martins specialising in Textile Design as well as over 10 years' industry experience. Hannah believes inspiration is all around us and art is a journey. Every child has the opportunity to express themselves with the right tools and Hannah's motto is to nurture individuality. Hannah is married and has three children, all of whom share her passion for art.

Rachel Greatbatch - Forest School Leader

Rachel attended the University of St Andrews where she studied English Literature, Modern History, Classics and Latin before finally choosing to read English Literature. This degree choice was due to a lifelong love of learning, in particular reading, which Rachel is passionate about passing on to all the children she teaches. After a brief career in banking, Rachel pursued her dream and began a PGCE at the University of Leeds, specialising in the 5-7 age range. Rachel has been at St Ives for 8 years and has taught Reception and Year 1, as well as heading up the English department. Rachel has most recently completed her Level 3 Forest School qualification and enjoys inspring our pupils in our Forest.

Helen Fox - Head of Learning Support

Helen is an experienced class teacher and intervention teacher having worked in several London schools. Helen has led small intervention groups, worked 1-1 and supported school SENCos. She has most recently been completing her Level 5 Diploma in Teaching Children with SpLD at the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre. Helen brings a wealth of experience to the team and looks forward to supporting pupils and families at St Ives.

Katie Anderson - Learning Support Assistant

Katie join us from the Royal School where she worked for nearly nine years as both a teacher and a learning support assistant. Katie studied History of Art at St Andrew's University and then gained her PGCE at Homerton, Cambridge. She has a wealth of experience, having worked at various schools in London prior to moving to the Royal School. She will be working in the Prep department alongside teachers supporting pupils in class and we're delighted to have her here.

Asha Wills - Teaching Assistant

Asha Wills joins us from the University of Nottingham where she recently completed her BSc in Industrial Economics. Asha will be a new member of the Prep team taking the role of Teaching Assistant, predominately supporting Year 4. Asha has a particular flair for Maths and has tutored from KS2 to A-Level. In her spare time, she also enjoys playing cricket. Asha has experience of leading after-school clubs as well as being a play worker for Casa Club during summer breaks.

Hayley Dibb - School Secretary and Registrar

Hayley gained her degree in European Business and Languages at Nottingham Trent University, which included a year studying and working abroad in Germany. She then pursued a career in Marketing/Advertising working for large multinationals, such as Sony TV-Europe and Coats Viyella, before working more locally for a private education company catering for overseas students in Guildford. Following a career break to raise her 3 children, during which time, Hayley worked part-time from home and also voluntarily at her children's schools, she joined St Ives in September 2015 to work as Registrar.

Meet our staff